Ohio mental health to cut 211 positions

The state mental health department announced yesterday that it is eliminating 211 jobs, including 12 in Toledo, because of the state's budget woes.

“This reduction in our work force is a difficult, but necessary step that we must take in order to live within our budget,” said Michael Hogan, the department's director.

The state has nine mental health hospitals that employ 2,947. In addition to providing inpatient psychiatric care, the hospitals provide outpatient services for adults and children across the state.

The state plans to eliminate 41 jobs in Massillon, 39 in Cambridge, 30 in Cincinnati, 28 in Dayton, 23 in Columbus, 17 in Northfield, 15 in Cleveland, and six in Athens.

The layoffs in Toledo will “weaken the safety net” in Toledo and northwest Ohio for those who need mental health services, said Thomas “Skip” Williams, a recreational therapist at Northcoast Behavioral Hospital on Detroit Avenue.